Switch structure



F. J. STUCKERT SWITCH STRUCTURE July 18, 1933.

Filed July 13, 1931 www Patented July 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE FELIX J1 STUCKER'T, OF MILVAUKEE, "W'ISCNSIN, SSIGNOR @C BRGGS 85 STRATTN CORPORATION, OF MILWAUKEE, 'YVSCO NEIN, A CRPDRATN OF DELAWARE SWXTGH STRUCTURE Application` filed ul'y 13,

This invention relates to switch structures and more particularly to the attachment of the cover for a. switch for anton'iobile ignition systems and like devices, and rela-tes to the subject matter of United States Letters Patent No. 1,763,018, issued to Felix J. Stricker-t, Jr., June 10, 1930.

In the ordinary type of automobile switch operated by a lever from the steering gear, there is more or less an open space between the cover and the body of the switch which allows moisture to seep in and get under the points to short circuit the switch.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a cover and fastening therefor which will prevent, ordinarily, the access of water into the switch housing and which may be attached without the use of bolts or screws.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a single means which will secure both the terminal carrying head and the switch cover in place, and which may be easily removed to permit replacements and repairs.

TvVith these and other objects in view, the nature of which will become apparent as the description proceeds, there is provided the following preferred form of the structure in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational plan view of the switch with parts shown in section;

Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 isa detail cross section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing' in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 indicates a gear casing having a bracket 6 attached thereto which carries the switch member, generally designated 8. Bolted or otherwise suitably fastened to the outer end of the bracket 6 is an end member 10 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The steering column passes into the gear casing 5 and has sleeves rotatable therein which carry the levers 12 and 13 for operating the gas feed and spark control of the automobile.

1931. Serial No. i550/34.

.fr shaft 1*(3 slidably and rotatably mounted in the interior of the smallest sleeve and has a segmental bevel gear 18 splined thereto. rl'he gear 18 meshes with a mating segmental gear 19 which operates a shaft for turning the various members of the switch.

The shaft 16 is connected at the upper end to the horn button (not shown) in such a manner that depressing 'the horn button actuatcs the bell crank lever 21 pressing the rod upwardly to make it contact and blowing the horn.

1he bell crank lever 21 is pivotally mounted in the end member 10 and is pressed into non-contacting position by the spring 24 held in a recess 25 in the member 10.

Vllhe above details are more fully set forth in Patent No. 1,7 03,018 referred to in the opening paragraphs of this specifica-tion.

The lower half of the switch 8 is formed of a cup-like receptacle 28 having an annular shoulder 29 around the inner periphery thereof. Seated on the shoulder 29 is a 'terminal carrying head 30 mounting the various switch points through which the desired circuits can be made or broken.

The receptacle 28 is preferably made of :ast material and has a tubular clamp 31 eX- tending therefrom and communicating with the interior of a cover or cup 32 enclosing the switch mechanism.

The cover 32 is cup-like in shape, fits downwardly over the outer periphery of the neck 33 and rests on the peripheral shoulder 34 on the receptacle, the cover or cap being slotted to accommodate the clamp 31. A cable 35 is secured in the clamp and carries the wires connect-ing the various switch points above mentioned.

The cover 32 has notched recesses 37 formed therein adjacent its peripheral edge in register with openings 38 in the side wall of vthe receptacle 28 at a point substantially flush with the top face of the terminal carrying head 30.

fr split expanding ring l0 having projections 41 spaced apart to correspond with the spaces between the slots 38 is adapted to be compressed within the -diameter of the receptacle 28 with its projections extending through the slots 38 into the recesses 37 in the cover. In this manner, a single means secures the cover 34 in place and likewise the terminal carrying head 30 withinv the receptacle. v

It will be seen that by the provision of the neck 33 and the shoulder 34 that it would be very dilicult for water to pass between the cover 32 and the receptacle 28 to get into the switch contacts and only by practically submerging the switch, could it thus be put out of operation.

It will be further noted that applicant has provided relatively simple means for readily releasably engaging both the terminal carrying head and the cover with a single member and that the switch may be readily assembled and disassembled at will with a minimum of effort.

lhile the preferr Md form of the invention has been described as applicable to switches, it is self evident that it could be used in various locations where it is dfsired to clamp two members in position as illustrated. It is not, therefore, desired to limit the invention to the precise 'lorm herein shown and described, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

l/Vhat is claimed as new and desired to Secure by Letters Patent is l. In a switch mechanism, a receptacle having an annular shoulder on its inner wall, a head member adapted to be received in the receptacle to rest on said shoulder, said receptacle having apertures in its wall substantially flush with the top face of the head member, an expanding spring ring adapted to be contracted to it within the receptacle above the head member, projections carried by said ring and projecting through said apertures to detachably secure the head member in the receptacle, and a cover member adapted to be telescoped over the receptacle and having notches therein registering with the apertures in the receptacle wall, said spring ring projections extending into the cover notches to secure the same in place.

2. In a switch mechanism, a receptacle, a tcrn'rinal head within the receptacle, a cover itor the receptacle, an expanding spring ring adapted to be contracted to lit within the receptacle above the terminal head, and projections carried by said spring ring and extending through apertures `in the receptacle to engage the cover, whereby the spring ring sinniltaneously detachably secures the terminal head in the receptacle and the cover to the receptacle.

FELIX J. STUCKERT. 

